28 November 2024, Putrajaya - The final presentation session and awards ceremony of the National Kesum Initiative (NKI) 2.0 Programme was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Affairs of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal Mujani, at Zenith Hotel, Putrajaya. Two researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr. Nor Asma Ab Razak (Institute of Bioscience) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Susilawati Kasim (Faculty of Agriculture), were among 14 researchers from public and private universities presenting high-impact research findings on various aspects of kesum (Polygonum minus).  

Dr. Nor Asma Ab Razak presented her project “Recovering P. minus with Bioactive Compounds and the Potential Applications as Functional Food”. This project resulted in the patent PI 2023001189, titled “Method for Recovering Polygonum minus (P. minus) with Bioactive Compounds Using Hydrodistillation”. The patent provides an alternative for functional food applications derived from distilled kesum water waste.  

The National Kesum Initiative (NKI) Programme has been organised since mid-2019 by the Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness (HCARE) at UKM, in collaboration with Biotropics Malaysia Berhad. Recognizing the medicinal and health benefits of Polygonum minus, commonly known as kesum, the initiative was launched to promote competitive research on kesum. This programme adopts a "Grand Challenge" approach, offering a platform for researchers to pitch ideas, share research outcomes, and be evaluated based on the originality and impact of their research on kesum. Awards are granted based on specific criteria.  

Also present at the event were the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UKM and Chairperson of the National Kesum Initiative, Prof. Dr. Suzana Shahar, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, Mrs. Haliza Ramli.

Date of Input: 09/12/2024 | Updated: 09/12/2024 | azah